I read a book last year that I’ve been wanting to share. It’s been on my mind, but due to the heavy nature of the subject I’ve been mentally processing how to go about doing it. You may have seen my ad space that when clicked will take you to Operation Underground Railroad’s website. I have share how much I love this group already.
Operation Underground Railroad, or O.U.R., is an amazing organization that works to protect and save children from human trafficking. I don’t remember how many years ago I learned about this organization, but I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of it.
It can be uncomfortable to talk about it. When they released a documentary The Abolitionists Movie in theaters my husband and I attend. We tried to promote and encourage others to do so too. And I found some people were really uncomfortable with it. But even with us not talking about it it still happens. Children are sold for sex.
It’s disgusting and pure evil. And it’s really happening. And it’s happening here where we live. Awareness is the first step to fixing this problem. And these innocent children need our help.
Slave Stealers Book Review
I began the book Slave Stealers and was surprised how much I appreciated the foreword by Mike Tomlin, NFL Head Coach of the Steelers. I’m not really into football. But what I loved this idea that he shared. He grew up in Virginia in a black community not really trusting white people. He shares an experience that helped him learn that not all white people were the enemy.
While Mr. Tomlin was at college he learns of a tragic event that made him want to look for peace and healing in our country. After years of praying he met an individual who helped him find a solution. He was introduced to Operation Underground Railroad and share what he learned with his wife.
He invited the founder of O.U.R. Tim Ballard, and his team to come train with his football team. He shared his discovery of healing with Tim. With hate and prejudice in our country it’s easy to feel divided. The solution is coming together to fix an even bigger problem. When people come together with a common goal that they feel passionate about they can overlook differences and focus on making the world a better place.
Tim chose to name his organization after the brave men and women who came together to fight the evil of slavery back in the 1800’s. Black and white. Male and female. Everyone joined together to fight the barbaric practice of slavery.
Today slavery still exists. Women and children are forced to work, often times as sex workers. Watching the documentary and seeing children sent to hotels and places where they would be victimized was heartbreaking. The actual of women or children being violated was not shown. Rather you could see how easy it was for people to find children for their evil purposes.
Operation Underground Railroad goes undercover, working with local police departments, to rescue kids and get them some place safe where they can receive help and rehabilitation. This is an important part of what they do. They get these kids help so they can change their lives.
I love how Slave Stealers tells us two true stories. One story takes place in the 1800’s in the south where we learn Harriet Jacobs amazing story. I normally think of Harriet Tubman, one of the conductors on the Underground Railroad. But I love learning Harriet Jacobs amazing story. Reading about her life taught me a bit more about slavery and the courage she had to save herself and her children.
The other inspiring story is Tim Ballard’s own story that led him to start this organization. Equally heartbreaking to hear how people can still treat others as objects. But with the hear break and ugliness of slavery (both then and now) is the hope that we can help these children. And there are beautiful heartwarming stories.
How Can I Help?
I love that this book gave me more compassion and a better understand of slavery. But this book also called me to action to help with this crisis. And I would love to share some ideas with you. On their website they have some ways (including ideas that are free) to support O. U. R. Or click over to their site and find ways to join the fight.
Become an abolitionist. You can sign up to give a set amount every month to help protect our children. Our family does this. I wish we could give more. But every little bit helps. Or your family can raise funds and give a flat donation. I have several friends who pick O.U.R. for their FB birthday fundraiser. Don’t be afraid of the monthly amount. Even just $5/month could help save the lives of children.
Watch the documentary. Learn more about Operation Underground Railroad from this amazing movie. Share it with friends or invite others to watch it with you.
Read Slave Stealers. Knowledge is power. Buying the book helps spread awareness and helps you to understand what’s really happening with human trafficking.
Follow Operation Underground Railroad on social media. I follow them on Instagram and Facebook. By liking and commenting and sharing their posts we are able to spread the good things they are doing. Interacting with their pages helps their algorithm’s which helps them to reach more people with their message. You could also pin or share this blog post.
Become a Responder. They have free training to help us become aware of the signs and to train us to know what to do if we see something. I recently have completed this training. We have the potential to change someone’s life. Being trained and alert can make all the difference.
I am so thankful for Tim Ballard and everyone who works for or with Operation Underground Railroad. I see post on social media where the Mesa Police Department helps rescue children. This kind of evil is happening where I live. The internet makes it easy to sell kids and teens online. Talk to your teens about this problem and remind them why we never meet up with people online.
I know together we can change the world. And we can change the life of a child. And if we can gather together to fight this evil we can find healing in coming together. There is so much hate and division in our country. Let’s link arms together and fight this darkness side by side.
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